Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has become a target for Premier League champions Manchester City, after the Danish international told manager Brendan Rodgers that he sees his future away from Anfield.
The Daily Mirror report that Manchester City have already tabled a bid of £13 million for the 27-year-old, with Real Madrid and Barcelona also monitoring the availability of Agger, who has voiced his desire to move on.
News that Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has returned home earlier than planned from City’s pre-season tour of Malaysia after picking up a thigh injury may have heightened City’s urgency to invest in additional central defence cover.
Aside from Kompany and England international Joleon Lescott, City’s only other alternatives at centre back are the inexperienced Stefan Savic and Kolo Toure, the latter whom is likely to leave the club this summer.
The Daily Mail report that interest from Barcelona is substantial, and that it may be left to the Catalan giants and Manchester City to fight over the Dane’s signature. Similarly to City, Barcelona find themselves in a position where they are lacking cover in central defence. Tito Vilanova's side have grown increasingly frustrated in their attempts to lure defender-cum-midfielder Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao, and have identified the 26-year-old Liverpool defender as a viable option, the Mail report.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo also report that Agger would favour a deal to Spain. Last season Javier Mascherano and Sergio Busquets found themselves frequently deployed at centre back at Barcelona, as the form and fitness of Gerard Pique, deviated. Vilanova may be looking to bolster his defensive line with an accomplished central defender to reduce the chances of this happening so often again.
No comments:
Post a Comment